March 28, 2026 – China Headlines

Story gist: Iranian media reported US and Israel airstriked Iran’s Khondab heavy water reactor. Israeli military claimed airstrike on Iran’s Arak heavy water reactor.

Bias summary: Left-leaning outlets like Xinhua cite Iranian media, framing as US-Israel joint aggression on Khondab reactor. Center outlets like Sina emphasize Israeli military’s claim of striking Arak reactor, using neutral phrasing. Right-leaning coverage absent, omitting pro-Israel defenses or emphasis on Iran’s nuclear threat.

Story gist: Boao Forum for Asia announced its 2026 annual meeting theme of joining hands to meet challenges and shaping the future through openness. Discussions covered global trade resilience amid tariff wars and calls for stronger regional cooperation.

Bias summary: Left-leaning outlets like People’s Daily frame the Boao Forum by highlighting ‘China opportunities,’ emphasizing positive prospects tied to China. Center outlets such as China.com stress expert analysis that global trade has not significantly contracted under tariff wars, advocating regional cooperation. Right-leaning coverage is absent, omitting skeptical views on China’s influence or forum efficacy.

Story gist: The Communist Party of China’s Political Bureau held a meeting to deliberate the ‘Regulations on the Work of Local Committees of the Communist Party of China.’ General Secretary Xi Jinping presided over the meeting.

Bias summary: Left-leaning outlets absent; pro-CCP perspectives that might highlight enhanced party discipline under Xi are missing. Center outlet Caixin uses neutral, factual headline focused on the meeting and document. Right-leaning Epoch Times employs sensational tone, framing it as sudden central demand for local loyalty and analyzing it as evidence of Xi’s falling authority.

Story gist: Xi Jinping visited Xiong’an New Area in Hebei province and delivered a speech during an inspection tour.

Bias summary: Left-leaning Xinhua frames Xi Jinping’s Xiong’an visit positively, headlining it as elevating the ‘City of the Future’ via comprehensive urban construction upgrades, with enthusiastic tone emphasizing inspiration for cadres and masses. Center- and right-leaning outlets provide no coverage, omitting the story and absenting neutral or critical perspectives on the event.

Story gist: Xi Jinping answered three questions on the correct view of political achievements in a ‘Daily Study’ feature published by official Chinese media.

Bias summary: Left-leaning Xinhua Net frames the story positively as ‘Study New Words,’ urging deep study and practice of Xi Jinping’s discourse on correct political achievements view. Center- and right-leaning outlets omitted coverage entirely, absenting neutral analysis, contextual discussion, or critical perspectives on the official propaganda narrative.